New Delhi: Israel ordered an immediate security cordon around Hebron on Friday following a shooting near a military checkpoint that left five Israelis wounded and two suspected Palestinian attackers dead. The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also instructed security forces to prepare for a complete closure of the occupied West Bank, although a territory-wide lockdown had not been independently confirmed.
The shooting occurred around 7.30am near Yehuda Junction, also known as the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, north of Hebron. The Israeli military said two Palestinian gunmen armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun opened fire at soldiers before being killed in an exchange of fire.
An AFP journalist witnessed the exchange of fire, which lasted more than 20 minutes, according to the Times of Israel. Emergency responders said two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, one of whom was unconscious and seriously injured. “We arrived at a difficult scene while shooting was still taking place in the area,” emergency responder Tzuriel Edri said.
The military subsequently recovered substantial ammunition from the attackers’ vehicle. Israeli officials believe the gunmen may have intended to carry out a larger attack against civilians, although the intended target and circumstances remain under investigation.
Following consultations with senior military and intelligence officials, Netanyahu instructed security forces to immediately surround Hebron and prepare for a wider lockdown. Israeli forces established roadblocks around Palestinian communities and launched searches, including operations at the homes of the two gunmen.
Netanyahu accused Hamas of planning a major attack against Israeli civilians, praising soldiers for preventing further casualties. Hamas subsequently claimed responsibility for the shooting, according to the Washington Post, although details of any wider operation remain unverified.
The Associated Press reported that Friday’s measures marked the fourth round of significant movement restrictions across the West Bank within a month. Such closures restrict Palestinian access to roads connecting villages and towns, potentially disrupting travel to workplaces, schools, hospitals and essential services.
Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, defended restrictions on Palestinian movement, saying: “The lives of the residents of Judea and Samaria, of the settlers, the lives of the soldiers, the lives of the police officers, the lives of our fighters are a million times more important than freedom of movement.”
Israeli drivers, including settlers, have generally retained access to major roads during previous closures, although delays may occur.
The incident comes four days before Israel’s parliamentary election on October 27, with national security emerging as a central campaign issue. Netanyahu cancelled political engagements on Friday following the shooting.
Ben-Gvir, demanded the dismantling and demilitarization of the Palestinian Authority. However, no evidence linking the Palestinian Authority to Friday’s attack had emerged.
The Yashar party leader and former military chief, Gadi Eisenkot, praised the soldiers’ response and expressed hope for the wounded to recover.
The shooting comes amid continuing violence in the occupied West Bank, including Israeli military operations and attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinian communities.
The Israeli military said searches and security operations were continuing around Hebron. Authorities had not confirmed the duration of the proposed territory-wide closure or released a comprehensive list of affected checkpoints, leaving the full extent of additional movement restrictions unclear.